“We all lost our passports in the blaze, as well as numerous gadgets including MacBooks, earphones, hard drives with a life’s work on it, as well as clothes, accessories, shoes, cash and much more.

“We estimate between the three of us, we’ve lost around £6,000 in value of personal belongings that night.

“With our passports being destroyed, we also have to find our way back to China, which requires new passports, new visas, brand new plane tickets at the most expensive time of the year to return to China, Chinese New Year.”

Damage to the hostel (Image: UGC TNE)

Speaking to The Gazette, Mr Norman’s mother, Susan Norman, said the men have been forced to make a 14-hour journey to Bangkok so that the British Embassy can reissue their passports.

She said she had spoken to her son on Thursday and was concerned for his well-being.

The men said they have worn the same clothes for three days and are struggling to pay for accommodation in Bangkok.

They added: “With the added expense of the British Embassy, who offered us no financial support - and a £100 charge each - a huge dent has been put not only into our very limited cash supply, but also our will to stay positive.

“Feeling close to rock bottom, we just want to see an end to this nightmare and anything can aid towards this will be eternally gratified.

“We are so lucky just to be alive, since 20 minutes difference could have made this unimaginably worse.”

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Local media reports say nine people were injured - six foreigners and two locals.

Officials suspect the fire was caused by an exploding cooking gas tank, it was reported.

The men added: “We are not asking for much, if anything at all.

“If anyone would please like to help out in any way possible, any sort of donation that could help put money towards a flight ticket, a roof over our head, food or clothes, we would so greatly appreciate it.

“We did not want to ask for this, but in the past three days we have gone through hell and survived.

“Although at the moment we are lucky to be alive, lucky is probably the furthest from how we feel.

“Thanks in advance for your donation, however small - it will help! We just want to go home and start to rebuild our lives.”